Red Stormer Braeden Kane’s four-goal performance would’ve been, by itself, enough to overwhelm the entire offensive output of visiting Biddeford on Wednesday, but 11 – count ’em, 11 – of his teammates found the back of the Tigers’ net as well, and Scarborough waltzed away with a 19-3 quarterfinals W.

Their semis opponent, however, would not go down so easily – in fact, Thornton trumped the Red Storm in the end. The Trojans built a huge lead early, and despite a brilliant rally in the fourth quarter, Scarborough found themselves just a couple points short of the upset victory. Final score: 11-8.

No. 6 Biddeford at No. 3 Scarborough

The Red Storm controlled this one from the very outset, going up 11-0 in the first 12 minutes alone. The team added four in the second – when Biddeford also scored its first point – three in the third and one in the fourth.

In addition to his four goals, Kane had one assist. Teammates Sam Neugebauer, Sam Ware and Cam Nigro tallied two goals apiece, and Marco Manfra added two goals and two assists. Sam Nygren, Sam Jacob and John Ronzo each had a goal and an assist. Marc Gurette, Colby Regan and Cam Jepson notched a goal apiece, and Nate Howard assisted once.

No. 3 Scarborough at No. 2 TA

The Storm looked very Category 1 in their follow-up contest against the Trojans, however. At least, they looked that way to begin. Thornton outscored Scarborough 7-1 through the first half, as the Storm looked uncharacteristically sloppy.

“We were throwing the ball to guys that weren’t open,” said Red Storm head coach Joe Hezlep. “Trying to get the ball to our offense. Second half, we decided, don’t throw it, just run with it. It worked.”

In the third quarter, though, Scarborough not only found a way to slow the Trojans down, holding them to just one, they also added another of their own. Of course, 8-2 heading into the final 12 minutes still bespoke a looming defeat – but that’s when the Storm finally picked up steam.

The team picked choicer passes, and made them with more accuracy and confidence; they transitioned better and worked their offensive perimeters better. It all allowed them to score six consecutive goals in the first 10 1/2 minutes.

Kane kicked off the rally, looking ferociously determined, and Neugebauer and Nigro (who also had the Storm’s first two goals) spun into high gear as well. Each of the three hashed two goals in the stretch, which culminated at 1:21 when Neugebauer scored his second, bringing Scarborough within one at 9-8.

“I’m not sure what it was,” said Hezlep. “We’ve been playing well, we’ve just been a little bit off. It’s one thing or another. We’ve been talking about it all year; it’s just finishing. And that didn’t happen in the first half, and it did happen in the second half.”

It wasn’t meant to be, however. Thirty seconds later, Storm goalie Isaac Rico – who looked superb throughout the night while faced with a barrage of nearly 40 shots – got caught a little too far out of net, and the Trojans’ Jon Camire took advantage. Thirty seconds after that, TA would add one final goal to thwart the massive Scarborough comeback effort.

“We’ve had so much fun playing TA over the past five, six, seven years,” said Hezlep. “Every game is good.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our guys. Never out of the fight.”

TA, now 11-3, moves on to Wednesday night’s Regional Final vs. No. 1 South Portland (12-1). The Red Storm retire for the year at 9-5.

Storm senior Co-Captain middie Nate Howard cuts upfield against Biddeford on Wednesday.Scarborough’s Braeden Kane carries the ball past a Biddeford defender on Wednesday.Cam Jepson readies a pass under pressure from a Biddeford opponent at home on Wednesday.Scarborough’s Eric Murray races inward, alongside a TA opponent, after a faceoff in the teams’ semifinal matchup on Saturday.TA’s Tom Pike crashes into Scarborough’s Anthony Quintiliani as he carries the ball upfield on Saturday.A TA defender lays a check on Red Storm ball-carrier Braeden Kane on Saturday.Sam Neugebauer chases a ground ball for the Storm at TA on Saturday. Neugebauer had two goals in Scarborough’s beautiful near-comeback.Cam Jepson edges around a TA defender on Saturday.Scarborough’s Wyatt Tanner faces down TA’s Zach Bryant as he attacks on Saturday.

Copy the Story Link